Linda Maxson

Clay Monoprints, Ceramic Wall Art, Paintings, Sculptures
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As an artist, my journey is deeply rooted in the tactile world of clay, a medium that continuously challenges and inspires me to create. My work primarily consists of ceramic sculptures and clay monoprints, the latter being a unique form of art that involves hand-pulled original images using a slab of wet clay as a matrix, layered with vibrant colored clay slips. This singular process, innovated by the late artist Mitch Lyons, allows me to explore the intersection of art and science, weaving my background in painting and ceramics into a cohesive and experimental practice. I learned directly from Mitch, and was captivated by his ability to transform clay into a printmaking medium, which has since become an intrinsic part of my artistic voice.

Rather than consciously choosing my subjects, I feel as though they choose me. Nature, emotions, and the ebb and flow of current events, albeit in a non-political context, are the forces that draw me into each piece, leaving room for personal interpretation by each observer. My artistry is characterized by an exploration of unseen elements—shadows and "windows" created by spatial manipulation within the sculpture, inviting the viewer to look beyond the tangible and engage with the intangible.

Inspiration flows abundantly from the world around me. Nature’s textures and the emotive power of expression drive my work. I find motivation in the towering creations of other artists like Louise Nevelson and Henry Moore, among countless others whose legacies intertwine with my own creative path.

In my artistic process, I embrace the unique capabilities of each medium by pushing their boundaries. I experiment by introducing materials like paper or cotton to clay, enhancing both texture and durability. This method allows me to craft pieces which are exceptionally delicate, expanding the possibilities of what can be achieved with ceramic materials.

Although my kiln imposes size limitations, I have found freedom in embracing larger forms through the creation of concrete sculptures, allowing me to expand my artistic endeavors beyond ceramic boundaries.

Each creation is a reflection of my journey through art—challenging, evolving, and continuously inspired by the natural world and the emotive depths of human experience. My work seeks to open a dialogue between the art, its effects, and those who witness it, forever leaving space for new interpretations and stories.

EDUCATION

Delta College, Saginaw MI, Associate in Fine Arts, 2009
Palos Verdes Art Center, Experimental Ceramics, 2005-2008
Architectural Ceramics with Peter King
Tile Making, Angelica Pozo

SHOWS AND EXHIBITIONS
2019-Current Maxson Art Studio and Gallery, Rancho Mirage, CA
2019-2020    A Tale of Survival by Linda Maxson and Debi Grupe, Palm Springs Public Arts Commission, temporary installation in Palm Springs International Airport, Palm Springs, CA
2020   It’s All About the Kids, Big Hearts for Little Hearts Desert Guild, JW Marriott Desert Springs Resort, Palm Desert, CA
2019   A Tale of Survival in the Face of Crushing Inertia, Collaboration by Linda Maxson and Debi Grupe, Maxson Art Studio and Gallery, Palm Springs, CA
2019   Big Hearts for Little Hearts, Hearts of Hope Campaign for Loma Linda Children’s University, Heather James Fine Art, Palm Desert, CA
2018   ACE, Artist’s Council Annual Juried Art Exhibition, Palm Springs Art Museum, Palm Springs, CA
2018   Art for Animals, Fusion Art, Palm Springs, CA
2017   Annual Art Auction, Living Desert, Palm Desert, CA
2016-2019    Maxson Art Studio and Gallery, Palm Springs, CA
2014   Art Under the Umbrellas, Old Town LaQuinta, CA
2014   Beg, Borrow and Steal, 17th Annual Palm Springs Juried Art Show, Palm Springs, CA
2014   Indian Wells Arts Festival, Indian Wells, CA
2013   16th Annual Palm Springs Juried Art Show, Palm Springs, CA
2013   1st Annual Exhibition of The Saguaro Hotel (partnership with the Palm Springs Art Museum), Palm Springs, CA
2012   Southwest Arts Festival, Indio, CA
2012   ACE, Artist’s Council Exhibition, Palm Springs Art Museum, Palm Springs, CA
2012   Indian Wells Arts Festival, Indian Wells, CA
2012   15th Annual Palm Springs Juried Art Show, Palm Springs, CA
2011   ACE, Artist’s Council Exhibition, Palm Springs Art Museum, Palm Springs, CA

MEMBERSHIPS
Artists Council, Palm Springs, CA
Desert Art Center, Palm Springs, CA
The International Ceramic Arts Network
AMOCA, America Museum of Ceramic Art, Pomona, CA

COLLECTIONS
Works held in private collections in the United States and Canada.

TEXTS
“From Tiles to Canvas, Linda Maxson’s Artworks are Skillfully Spirited Spontaneity”,
Painting World Magazine, November, 2017
“Artistic Plunge”, Arts and Entertainment, Palm Springs Life, 2017
Desert Dreaming, American Craft Council, 2016